Jammers Exit To A Penalty

Manager, Wayne Brown made several changes from last time in the FA Trophy with Makohsini Kanye and Billy Cracknell returning to the starting eleven. In front of the television cameras again, the Jammers were hopeful of producing a cup-upset like they did last year over Leyton Orient.

In what was a scrappy opening fifteen minutes to the game, both sides struggled to maintain possession. However, with just over five minutes on the clock the home side created what turned out to be their best chance of the tie. A defence-splitting pass from Sam Coombes released Shomari Barnwell in on goal with only the Goalkeeper to beat, however his effort was saved by visiting shot-stopper, Jake Turner.

As the visitors grew in to the game, they began to create chances as a result of slick forward play. However, they came up against Ben McNamara who was again in fine form for his side, just like was in last years upset over Orient. Sloppy passing at the back gifted Morecambe another chance, but McNamara was on hand as he made several saves within the space of ten minutes. McNamara was called in to action again, this time to deny Adam Phillips as the Australian saved with his legs.

With half-time approaching, Maldon created their second chance of the afternoon. The tenacious work of Aaron Williams-Bushell resulted in him stealing the ball of defender, Ryan Cooney. Williams-Bushell found Barnwell just outside of the six-yard box, however the visiting defence were on hand in quick time to block Barnwell's effort.

With forty-three minutes on the clock, the visitors were awarded a penalty. Some fast passing resulted in the Maldon defence losing their shape, as Carlos Mendes Gomes found himself one-on-one with the Goalkeeper, McNamara. As McNamara rushed out, he brought down Gomes who looked destined to go around him and tap the ball home. McNamara received a yellow card for his challenge and Phillips stepped up to take the penalty, dispatching his spot-kick in to the bottom corner with real composure to give his side the lead on the stroke of the break.

HALF TIME: Maldon & Tiptree 0 - 1 Morecambe

Facing up against a solid defence, it's fair to say that the Jammers were finding goalscoring opportunties difficult to come by. Much like the first half, Maldon had McNamara to thank for keeping them in the game, as he made a string of saves to keep the deficit to just one goal. As Hamza Kaid broke down the right hand side, he had the first opportunity to create a goal scoring opportunity however he lost his footing and gifted the visitors a goal-kick.

As the home side struggled to keep the ball, Morecambe were using their experience to pick up free-kicks on a regular basis to break the game up. With Wayne Brown's side lacking in composure, the visitors continued to create chances however impressive defending from the home defence and smart shot-saving from McNamara ensured the scoreline remained the same. A tweak in formation appeared to make a positive change for the Jammers, as Scott Kemp joined Barnwell in what was now a front two in attack. Kemp made an immediate impact, as he runs in behind earned his side a string of corners, however Maldon were unable to capitalise.

Manager, Brown freshened things up with the introduction of Andre Hasanally, closely followed by Adam Vyse as the Jammers tried to force themselves back in to the game. Hasanally had his first effort since being introduced to the contest, but that went wide. Barnwell was the next to go close for Maldon, however he headed wide following a smart cross from Khanye.

With less than ten minutes on the clock, substitute Vyse had probably Maldon's best chance of the second half. As Barnwell won the the first header, Vyse who was having his shirt pulled off his back latched on to the loose ball, but snatched at the effort as his left footed effort went just wide of the Morecambe goal. In what was to be the last move of the game, Maldon were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, however the delivery from Sam Coombes was dealt with by the Shrimps defence, as they cleared the ball away to secure their place in the Second Round of the competition.

FULL TIME: Maldon & Tiptree 0 - 1 Morecambe

Wayne Brown's side exit the competition, however can be proud of their efforts in what has been another impressive Emirates FA Cup run, to reach the First Round for second consecutive season, to be beaten by a professional team by a single goal is a tremendous effort. It has been a terrific start to the season, with today's defeat our first of the season after thirteen games.